Music This article is more than 15 years old

Def Jam exec Shakir Stewart commits suicide

This article is more than 15 years oldOne of the most powerful figures in hip-hop famous for signing Beyoncé, died on Saturday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

Shakir Stewart, executive vice president of Def Jam and one of the most powerful figures in hip-hop, died this weekend in an apparent suicide. Police reported that the man who signed Beyoncé was found in his bathroom at around 4pm on Saturday, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to Atlanta's Kennestone Hospital where he died later that day.

Though further details have not been released, Def Jam confirmed Stewart's death in a statement yesterday.

"[Def Jam chairman] LA Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir Stewart," the statement said. "Shakir was an amazing man in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees, but to his family and the many people that had the privilege of counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time."

Stewart had only recently taken over at the label, succeeding Jay-Z after the rapper's departure in June. Stewart at the time called it his "dream job".

The Oakland, California native began his career in a more humble way, "passing out [concert] fliers at seven clubs a night, seven days a week in 20-degree weather," as he told Billboard this year. He later worked for LaFace Records and Hitco Music Publishing, before joining Def Jam. The artists he was responsible for signing included Ciara, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Beyoncé Knowles and Karina Pasian.

In interviews after his summer hiring, Stewart spoke of the need for music executives to file "27 hour days". "I see a lot of kids who want to live the lifestyle but don't want to put in the work and do what it takes," he said.

Shakir Stewart was 34.

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